Study by Sefako Makgatho University Suggests Some Bottled Water Brands Are Toxic to Humans

• The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University found that some bottled water brands are unsafe for consumption
• During the study, 12 bottled water brands were tested and were found to have high levels of chromium and nickel
• Three samples were found to have a pH level that did not meet the standards of the International Bottled Water Association

PRETORIA - Some brands of bottled water in Pretoria stores have been found to be unsafe for human consumption, according to a recent study.

The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University tested 12 brands which were found to have high levels of chromium and nickel. Not only were the levels of lead higher than recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the nutrition values did not match the labels on some bottles.

According to Business Insider, scientists collected bottled water samples from supermarkets and spaza shops which they analysed. Three of the samples were found to have a pH level that did not meet the International Bottled Water Association standards.

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The university’s biology department team, led by Prof Joshua Olowoyo, said that lead toxicity has significant effects on the nervous system that can lead to premature birth in pregnant women and early death.

The results from the study come after it was alleged that tap water might not be healthy for citizens to consume. Earlier this year, it was found that 334 plants out of 850 were in a poor to critical state.

The Daily Maverick reported that the Blue Drop Progress Report 2022 found that tap water from several municipalities posed a potential health risk to people.

Minister Senzo Mchunu calls for calm as Rand Water implements Stage 2 water-shedding in Gauteng

Briefly News also reported that Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for calm in Gauteng as Rand Water implemented Stage 2 water restrictions at six municipalities. Mchunu argued there is no crisis in the province because Gauteng’s dams still have water.

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According to TimesLIVE, Rand Water will limit water to stabilise and prevent reservoirs from emptying. With Stage 2 water restrictions, residents are prohibited from watering their gardens or cleaning their driveways and patios using hosepipes.

Mchunu is expected to meet with Gauteng municipalities on Monday, 17 October, to discuss concerns about water usage to assure residents that the province has not entered crisis mode yet.

Source: Briefly News